E-Maxx woes

[pauster]

All,

I tried to start my used e-(bay-)maxx for the first time last night - and was rather frustrated. When I applied the throttle the motors both tried to turn a little (a fraction of a turn) but and made a beeping noise - but the wheels did not turn.

Within 2 seconds I smelled melting plastic so I gave up quickly. I
re-programmed the EVX to be sure but to no avail.

I can turn the wheels but they have some resistance (which I assumed to be normal, this is my first E Maxx ever)

Before I start disassembling everything - any idea what this might be ? I am guessing some blockacge/too high resistance in the tranny or drivetrain somewhere ... I had to leave on a business tripo so I did not get to try it out but any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Patrick

[ChuckDeez]

lol, sounds like you need to charge your batteries. I hear and see that the motors try to spin but the truck doesn't move when my batteries are very low. try charging your batteries.

[pauster]

Hmmm I had charged both brand new 3500 mAh Tenergy NiMh for 1 hour each on 1.8 A ... not chock full but at least half ...

[ChuckDeez]

hmm, yeah actually, I had some problems with my tenergy's before. It would not go and such just like you said. I even saw smoke come out of the ESC. Do you have to stock tamiya plugs?

[pauster]

yes stock tamiyas all the way

[SerpentKing101]

burning plastic smells when the motors arent even spinning could be something very, very wrong with the esc. That or something is binding pretty bad (you should only get any real "resistance" when the motor and spur are all in place, and you try rotating all 4 tires).

Rebuilding anything you get off ebay, unless its factory sealed, should be one of the first things you do.

[z-man280]

back both motors off the spur, set it down, and give it a push....should roll easily. if it does, you have electronic issues, if it does not, drive train. I know this sounds odd, but switch plugs on the batteries too,...as in unplug the batteries, and plug them into the opposite connectors on the esc. mine does it from time to time, sounds odd, but it works.

[pauster]

much appreciated I'll try this first thing when I get home tomorrow

[cooleocool]

I'd check the gear mesh and ditch those Tamiya connectors. They are just robbing power... Over time they'll loosen up and melt together... Have fun getting them back apart ;).

[ChuckDeez]

when you bought this on ebay, what did it have? any pics?

[pauster]

yes, it did - and it looked quite OK on the pictures and in real life - E-maxx RTR but without a body, some aluminum parts ...

[RrR]

Take your motors out and test them.

[pauster]

It was quite simple - one of the motors had the polarity reversed. The gentleman who sold me the truck had apparanty never tested it after rebuilding it.

Odd when two motors are trying to fight each other. None of them won so they have almost identical torque output :D

I'll give it a workout this weekend when currently awful weather improved

[cooleocool]

Well, at least it was something simple! Have fun with it! The E-Maxx is a great truck!

[balang_479]

Hmmm I had charged both brand new 3500 mAh Tenergy NiMh for 1 hour each on 1.8 A ... not chock full but at least half ...

you need to charge them for 2 hours then.....